Air Force sergeant slain, 3 wounded in Pampanga clash

PORAC, Pampanga — An Air Force sergeant was killed while another soldier and two communist rebels were wounded during an encounter near this town’s poblacion the other day. Seven other guerrillas were captured after the firefight.

This developed as an Army lieutenant-colonel and four of his men were wounded in an ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in San Luis, Agusan del Sur Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, Pampanga police director, said Air Force Sgt. Dario de la Cruz, based at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca town, was killed in the clash in Barangay Pio at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Wounded were Army Capt. Ronald Caguiwa and two still unidentified guerrillas.

Rafanan said combined elements from the Army, Air Force and the police went to Pio after receiving reports that 20 to 30 armed NPA guerrillas were seen near the residence of a prominent local merchant. A firefight later ensued.

He said the rebels fled as the government troopers cornered Clifford Chingcuangco, said to be the NPA group’s commanding officer, and his six companions, who were identified as Gracela Miranda, Erlinda Chingcuangco, Marcel Lumayo, Robert Magtoto, Noli Alcarez and Ernesto Bulosan.

Rafanan said charges of murder and multiple frustrated homicide were filed yesterday against these people.

Mopping-up operations yielded a 9 mm. pistol, several bullets, an M-16 magazine and subversive documents.

Last Saturday, police clashed with another NPA group in Barangay San Isidro in San Luis town, where three rebels were killed and another guerrilla was captured. The rebels were reportedly out to assassinate Mayor Jay Sagum.

Meanwhile, the military’s Southern Command identified the five military men who were wounded in the NPA ambush in San Luis, Agusan del Sur as one Lt. Col. Bathan and his men Cpl. Tabar and Privates First Class Caubat, Salinas and Gallardo.

Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, Southcom spokesman, said Bathan and his men were en route to the Task Force Detachment III when they were waylaid in Barangay Mahagsay at about 5 p.m. Wednesday. — Ding Cervantes, Roel Pareño and Ric Sapnu